IPL Can’t Survive Centenary: Ian Botham

IPL is number one among the most expensive franchise leagues in the world. In terms of popularity and money, this cricket franchise league can compete with European football clubs. Cricket lovers all over the world eagerly wait to enjoy it. Big cricket stars also look forward to performing here. The Indian Cricket Board is keeping no shortage of arrangements for the upcoming season of IPL. Its property has been sold at a high price. But can the IPL hold this passion? Recently, former England legend Ian Botham criticized the IPL.

Despite the popularity of IPL all over the world, former cricketers often criticize IPL. The T20-based league has come under increasing criticism that Test cricket’s appeal is being lost due to the money crunch in this T20-based league. Former English star Botham commented that this IPL is the reason why Test cricket in India has lost its zeal.

Botham also claimed that just as Test cricket has retained its appeal, the IPL cannot. He said, “When you visit India, you can see that there is not so much talk about Test cricket. Test matches are held in empty stadiums. No one comes to watch Test matches there, they see something else. For them, cricket means IPL. IPL matches are seen with a gallery full of spectators. Everyone is making a lot of money in the IPL, that’s nice to hear. But can IPL retain its appeal? What do you all think? Test cricket has retained its appeal for centuries. But I can assure you, IPL will lose its appeal in centuries. .”

According to this former English star cricketer, cricket will disappear from the world if Test cricket goes up. He also said, “If there is no Test cricket, then there will be no cricket. This cricket will disappear from the world. Then there will be no meaning in playing cricket. And nobody will play meaningless cricket. Cricketers should be more focused on Test cricket. They  should dream of playing more Test matches. So that cricket does not disappear from the world.”

He further said, “In England, Test matches are not played in empty galleries. We Englanders are very lucky in that respect. Even in Test matches, stadium galleries are filled with spectators. If you go to Australia, you will see the same thing there. 70-80 thousand spectators watch Test matches there too. . But you won’t find that anywhere else in the world. And we can count ourselves lucky in that regard.”

Note that franchise leagues continue to be criticized. Earlier, Australia’s star cricketer David Warner expressed concern about the future of Test cricket due to this franchise league based on T-20. However, the popularity of the franchise leagues does not stop there. A few days ago, the price of the broadcasting rights of the upcoming IPL went up to more than 48 thousand crore rupees. Apart from the criticism, the authorities are not holding back on its organization. This season of IPL will start from March 25 and will end on May 28